Markets

Results from the U.S. elections on Wednesday provided a record-breaking boost to a municipal market still recovering from last week's hurricane.

In a move to increase its public finance business, bond insurer Assured Guaranty has hired three senior professionals.

The re-election of President Obama is a credit neutral event for non-profit hospitals, but looming changes in the federal landscape tied to the new health care law and budget deficit, present challenges, Moody's Investors Service said in a report Wednesday.

Hawaii Finance Director Kalbert Young is concerned that other bond sales rescheduled after Hurricane Sandy could impact the Aloha State's $900 million sale planned for next week.

Peter M. Demirali, 52, of Mendham, N.J., a managing director at Cumberland Advisors, died suddenly on October 30, and a memorial service is planned for Nov. 17 at 11 a.m. in Queens, N.Y.

Bond insurer parent company MBIA Inc. had an adjusted pre-tax loss of $118 million in the third quarter of 2012.

Overwhelming uncertainty surrounding the U.S. elections stands as the most likely cause industry watchers cite behind the first outflows municipal bond mutual funds reported in more than six months.

New York's MTA, restoring its subway and commuter rail systems after Hurricane Sandy's damage, will continue its flurry of bond activity this week.

More than 40% of states have poor pension funding ratios, Morningstar municipal credit researcher Rachel Barkley said.